LET RULE OF LAW PREVAIL

THE Sri Maha Mariamman Temple incident is not a temple or racial issue. It is a problem arising from non-compliance of a court order which resulted in a breach of the law. It was a case of the National Land Code being enforced.

Malaysia is a multiracial country, where even a minor dispute can be blown out of proportion and taken as a clash between the races.

But Malaysians must remember that the moment a court order is issued, all the parties involved are expected to adhere to it, failure of which means contempt of court.

The judicial system in any part of the world is designed in such a way to ensure that court orders are taken seriously. This is to prevent the public from taking the law into their own hands and creating unnecessary problems.

The very reason cases are litigated in court is to avoid disputes on the streets.

A civilised public would demand that all disputes be litigated and settled by the court, which is empowered to deliver justice. Any grievances from the litigants are to be ventilated at the corridors of justice, that is, the courts.

Sometimes, when the dispute reaches the court, parties would have reached an amicable settlement to avoid protracted litigations, thus crystalising into a consent order to be recorded before a judge. A consent order carries the same weight as a court order and all parties who had signed the same must abide by what they had agreed. A consent order has the full force of the law for it to be enforced .

In the Seafield case, a consent order could not be enforced, thus creating anxiety and causing the public to take the law into their own hands. This is a clear warning to the public that non-compliance of a court order may result in chaos.

Malaysians are learning the consequences of not abiding by a court decision the hard way.

Malaysia practises democracy, where there are legislators who legislate the laws, executives who execute the laws and the judiciary who ensures the laws are practised and executed.

Politicians are legislators and the executives. Politicians, heads of communities and even ministers must ensure their subjects abide by the laws of the land. This will assist the government of the day to run the affairs of the government smoothly.

As Malaysia is multiracial, we have to respect the rights of all Malaysians, regardless of race or religion.

It is unfortunate that some politicians and heads of communities have made uncalled for remarks in this incident. Community leaders have failed to arrest the issue at its infant stage.

The parties now cry for justice when they themselves did not comply with the court order, which they voluntarily agreed.

It’s even more unfortunate to hear that the incident is termed a “racial” issue.

Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has said the incident has nothing to do with race or religion, but is a “criminal matter”. Therefore, all parties should take the cue from this message and stop making racial comments.

Let the law take its course.